A Messianic Believer’s Commentary.

Abraham, and his nephew, Lot, had huge herds. Water & grazing were limited and it became impossible to stay together. Their herdsmen constantly quarreled. Abraham was Lot’s senior – clearly in a position of authority over Lot. He could have sent him back to Haran, or assigned him to any scrap of ground he chose. Instead, Abraham elected to give Lot the first choice of territory and to be content with whatever remained. What kind of a person would do that? Would you? Here’s what Rav Shaul said: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Phil 2:3–4) By giving Lot the first choice of the land, Abraham showed the spirit of humility that Yeshua described. To Abraham, preserving peace between family was more important than success or prestige. Predictably, Lot chose the best land for himself. Lot was not wicked. He was a normal sort of person, self-serving and looking out for his own interests. Abraham was not normal. Are you normal – or are you peculiar? Which one SHOULD we be?